Characterization of Focal Liver Lesions using CEUS and MRI with Liver-Specific Contrast Media: Experience of a Single Radiologic Center

Abstract

CEUS and MRI with liver-specific contrast media are very reliable and of equal informative value in the characterization of focal liver lesions. The number of false-negative results can be decreased using a combination of the two methods.

Identification of two distinct hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia patient subsets with different hepatic perfusion properties by combination of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) with perfusion imaging quantification

“…The CEUS phase was subdivided into arterial phase (10–45 s from contrast agent administration), portal venous phase (45–120 s) and late phase (121–360 s) [7, 8, 10]. The intraductal enhancement extent was compared to the adjacent liver parenchyma and was classified into hyper-, iso-, hypo- and non-enhancement in accordance with the recently released guideline [6]. The enhancement structure was subclassified into homogeneous and heterogeneous.…”

“…The emergence of contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) has exceptionally improved the ability to image the circulation in some disease circumstances (e.g. in confined liver lesions [6–12]) but without perfusion imaging quantification we are not able to interpret objectively the severity of the vascular impairment. Recently, we reported on the first CEUS analysis of 18 HHT cases concerning hepatic macro- and microcirculation, complementing qualitative results by quantitative perfusion time intensity curve (TIC) evaluation.…”

Interobserver Agreement for Contrast-Enhanced Ultrasound (CEUS)-Based Standardized Algorithms for the Diagnosis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma in High-Risk Patients

“…Contrast agents in CEUS differ from those in MRI, resulting in different vascularization patterns. Malignant lesions show a washout of contrast agent during the late phase, whereas in MRI, diffusion of contrast agents into the tumor interstitium can result in increasing contrast enhancement of malignant lesions in the late phase [36]. Recent studies suggest that combination of CEUS and MRI with liver-specific contrast agents might reduce the rate of false-negative findings in the assessment of focal liver lesions [36].…”

Benefits of contrast-enhanced ultrasonography for interventional procedures

“…The recommended volume of contrast medium varies between 1.0 and 2.4 ml, depending on the ultrasound system and the tissue to be examined, and is followed by a bolus of up to 10 ml of sterile saline (0.9% NaCl) (1,(9)(10)(11). Modern contrast agents (e.g.…”